Ann Rebecca (Taylor) Birkelo

Ann Birkelo died peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, at the age of 98 years in Davis after several weeks on hospice. She was born in Clifford, North Dakota, growing up on a farm with dreams of becoming a nurse. She achieved that goal and after serving with the Nurse Cadet Corps in WWII was able to work as a college nurse at Mayville State College in North Dakota, as an orthopedic nurse at Shriners Hospital and other hospitals in Minnesota, Florida, and California. Before retiring she worked a number of years as a geriatric nurse in Chico and at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco.

In 1948 at Perry Lutheran Church, she married her lifelong love Carl Walter (Walt) Birkelo who had also grown up in Mayville where his father was an economics and sociology professor at the college. Walt’s work in public administration both in teaching and as a city manager took them to many places in the world including Nigeria and Liberia. She always undertook the daunting task of moving and settling the family with efficiency and enthusiasm and embraced the challenges of a new home. Ann’s interests included music, knitting, reading, and working on her family’s genealogy.

Just as she devoted her career to the compassionate care of others in healing, she likewise devoted many years to raising four children and offering them opportunities and support and encouragement for their own lives. She continued her support and encouragement with grandchildren and great grandchildren as they came along. Her faith was central and important grounding throughout her life. She and Walt took on many roles in the church in leadership and teaching and witnessing with their lives for all of the 64 years of their marriage.

In retirement they returned to Davis where Walt had previously served as city manager spending time with their family and traveling from Norway to China and many places in between. Ann will be remembered by her family and friends with deep love for her generosity, kindness and caring for all.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walt Birkelo, her brothers Ernest and James Taylor and sister Ruth Wettlaufer.

She is survived by three daughters: the Rev. Susan Birkelo of Watsonville, CA, Jennifer (Ron) Ruttenberg of San Mateo, CA, Elizabeth (Ben) Zielke of Puyallup, WA, and a son: Dr. Carl (Cheryl) Birkelo of Sumas, WA as well as eight grandchildren: Catherine and Paul Birkelo, Sara Zielke and Hanna (Brandon) Henry, Greta, Nathan, Rebecca and Kevin Ruttenberg, great grandchildren: Hattie and Jack Henry and also a sister Miriam Anderson of Largo, Florida.

There will be a memorial service at 1 pm on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Davis Lutheran Church, 317 E. 8th Street, Davis, CA 95616. A livestream may be found on their YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@davislutheranchurch3931. Burial will be at the Mayville Cemetery in North Dakota at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Davis Lutheran Church (https://www.davislutheran.org/), the Birkelo Scholarship at Mayville State University (Mayville State University - Foundation. Memorials/Tributes), or to a charity of your choice.